USB sockets not working on PC tower

moneymabel

Hi all,
Have a problem with my pc and was hoping someone could help-I am a complete computing idiot so words of one syllable would be helpful!
Its a Packard Bell and the USB sockets on the front of the tower have stopped working-tried to connect my printer and it doesn't work (tried with other things as well just to check) Was working fine yesterday but looking at the sockets they are a bit wobbly in their holders so might be damaged. Any ideas what it would cost to get this fixed or are there other ways to connect my printer etc?

Thanks for any help

Browntoa

use system restore to go back a day

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306084

to confim its not software glitch

CHR15

Have you tried the USB Sockets on the rear of the PC?

JasX

have you been in the case recently? is the cable from the back of the socket still connected to the motherboard? is there a BIOS switch to enable / disable them?

moneymabel

Well that just sums up my stupidity-never realised there were USB sockets in the back! connected it to one of those and its working fine!
Did the system restore-, no change but at least I know how to do that now!
And- no-I havent been in the case-as you can see from my wide array of computer knowledge I am not safe with a screwdriver!
Thankyou so much for all your help everyone-I will look into getting the front USB sockets fixed at a later date but in the meantime all is well :-)
Thanks again

Browntoa

probably not cost effective to get the front ones repaired unless the cables unplugged

moneymabel

Ok thanks for that, prob won't bother then :-) Cheers

James123_2

I had a similar problem with underpowered, non-functioning USB sockets on the front of my computer. A computer technician explained to me that the front USB sockets are generally 'unpowered' so won't work well for things such as USB scanners which sap power via the USB. The back USB sockets, however, are powered and much more likely to perform. So, the failure of your front USB sockets might be down to the type of device you had plugged into them.
I could be wrong on the above, but it's certainly held true for my Dell machine.

JasX

Browntoa wrote: »

probably not cost effective to get the front ones repaired unless the cables unplugged

yup unless its something simple and you can or you know someone willing to do a free DIY job (spare parts from another dead PC) there are so many workarounds you're probably better not bothering:

you could get a cheap extension cable or hub and give better access to the rear ones if you like?

or if you end up with a newer USB keyboard some of them have built in hubs/ extra USB sockets on for ease of access.

...or med/higher end monitors commonly have USB sockets on too these days as/when you get one of those (esp if it has built in webcam / other features)

moneymabel

Thanks both of you, that's a good idea about the extension cable will prob do that until the time I get a new keyboard.Cheers

Bikertov

If you need more USB ports, you have a few choices


USB port and Card reader for a drive bay - £5.47 http://www.ebuyer.com/product/108453

5 port card - 1 internal (could possibly be used with your ecisting front panel cable ?) - £5.99 http://www.ebuyer.com/product/108594

Or just a basic 4 port USB hub - I got one from Poundland recently. I think it cost me around £1.00